She would only be 55 today.
I remember the day the stupid Goshen News put her obituary in the newspaper. (I like the Goshen News under normal circumstances.) And I thought about all the people who had gone to Northwood High School with her reading it. Or her old teachers reading it. Mostly, all the people who were a whole lot older than her reading it.
Happy Birthday to the most creative, funny, caring, and conscientious person! Happy Birthday to a person who did more in her lifetime than some who live twice as long! Happy Birthday to a lady who died with class and peace!
How I wish we could go out for lunch! How I wish I could bring her another Arby's roast beef with cheese or her favorite cream filled roll from Festival Foods! (I learned from her that Walmart's cream-filled rolls have inferior cream.) How I wish I could show her my new book...and tell her the ways that God has been so good to me and the amazing people He's put in my life, and the lavish answers to prayer. How I wish I could tell her about the good conversation I had with my brother last night, and then she would talk to me about the grandchildren: Brad and Lys and David and the twins...
I think she would tell me to live each day with joy and love every person I meet and laugh more often.
In the letter I opened after she died, she says: "Perhaps from heaven I can see what you will all accomplish--but even greater than accomplishments is faithfulness."
Perhaps she can.
Today is a gift--
That is why it is called The Present.
Thinking of you today and so glad you have these precious memories to hold in your heart!!! Celebrate them today even in your pain!! Love you, Denise
ReplyDeletelove you Katrina, thanks for sharing your heart. I'll be praying for you and thinking of you..
ReplyDeleteI would know your mom's handwriting anywhere, and sure miss her entertaining contributions to the cousin circle letter - in fact, it seems no one has the heart to keep that letter going since she's not a contributor anymore (some of us thought you would take her place?). You certainly had a special mom - no one can ever really take her place, and I am continually sorry for the loss for your whole family. As for her, she is enjoying glories such as we cannot fathom, the ultimate of which is basking in the presence of her Saviour. May the Lord enfold you and your whole family with His peace on this bittersweet anniversary. ~Twila
ReplyDeleteHey Katrina. I praise God for the perspective you have on life. Probably a lot of it has to do with the pain of loss. Your perspective has touched my life numerous times. Thank-you for letting God work through you. I have seen you relinquishing all of your heart to him, especially in the past year. He has touched me through you. The pain you have gone through has not been in vain. Purpose in death, beauty in death, gives meaning to death.
ReplyDeleteNice post. So true. I wish I could write like that.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Katrina.
ReplyDeleteYour mom sounds like she was wonderful. Somehow, I think she'd be very proud of you.
Your mother was a beautiful person and so is her daughter! She would be very proud of you! Amy S.
ReplyDelete